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Turning point for Roar

Brisbane Roar coach Mike Mulvey feels the Boxing Day win over Adelaide United could be the turning point in the club's season.

Brisbane Roar interim coach Mike Mulvey feels the Boxing Day win over Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium on Wednesday night could be the turning point in the club's season.

Having only entered the hot seat a week ago following the shock demotion of Rado Vidosic, Mulvey has had little time to settle in.

Mulvey oversaw a 1-0 loss to Perth last Friday in his first game in charge only three days after his appointment.

But the former Gold Coast United caretaker secured his maiden victory with the Roar in a 1-0 win on Wednesday following Henrique's second-half goal.

Mulvey said the Roar deserved only their first win since December 1 and believes it would ignite a charge up the table.

"Today is an important moment. We've drawn a line in the sand now after coming to a very tough place and coming away with three points ... it was well deserved," Mulvey said.

"We came here with a very positive mindset and I think it showed. We played an aggressive, pressing game that put them under pressure and forced them to cough up the ball a lot in the first half which gave us a platform to go forward.

"I'm still a little bit critical of the fact we were sloppy at times in possession.

"We coughed up the ball in some bad areas for us but the defending and recovery after that was very good.

"The commitment of my players was absolutely fantastic and I'm delighted."

Although the win was important for Mulvey, the former Gold Coast assistant preferred to acknowledge what it meant for the Roar players.

"I'm extremely happy for the boys. Since I've come in their commitment has been second to none," Mulvey said.

"They were hurting before I came in, in terms of where they were on the table, and together we've got a fight on our hands.

"These players now have a real taste for it but they are very circumspect in the dressing room, they know it's just a start and that there's a long way to go.

"They're going to enjoy the moment right now but they're back to work tomorrow morning.

"We have a massive game on New Year's Day against Wellington Phoenix to prepare for."

While Brisbane celebrated the victory, Adelaide were left to rue an unrewarded penalty after Argentine forward Jeronimo Neumann looked to have been fouled in the area.

Referee Adam Kersey waved away United appeals and booked Jeronimo for simulation in the process although replays showed the 26-year-old may have been clipped from behind.

Mulvey said he was unsure whether the correct decision was made.

"I didn't see it clearly. I saw it on the screen and it was from the wrong angle because there were legs in between," Mulvey said.

"I will have to have a closer look before I make a decision on that one ... I thought the ref controlled proceedings pretty well."